Dominic Raiola has a very simple mock draft. It goes like this: 1. Sam Bradford, St. Louis. 2, Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions Football Club.
Actually, it's more wish list than mock draft.
“If he's there, we're going to take him,'' said Raiola, entering his 10th season as the Lions' center. “At least I hope we do. He'll love it here. And we'll be a lot better with him here.''
I called Raiola on his cell phone Tuesday. He was playing golf with his good chum, Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford, at his country club in suburban Detroit. Between shots, Raiola talked about his life at the bottom of the NFL.
Before he could start, someone had sent Raiola a text that the Rams had just traded defensive tackle Adam Carriker, another former Husker, to Washington. Uh-oh. Was there a subtle message there for the mock draft doctors?
“Hmmm,'' Raiola said. “That makes it interesting.''
Maybe. The draft order looks pretty clear cut. But there are enough loose ends out there to provide a little drama for the first prime-time, one-round Thursday night NFL draft.
The Rams apparently have not tried to sign Bradford yet. The departure of Carriker leaves a hole in their defensive line. Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is apparently unhappy with the Redskins' move to a 3-4 defense and wants out. The Redskins have the No. 4 pick.
Do they send Haynesworth to St. Louis to switch spots? Do they send Haynesworth to Detroit for the same deal? Lions head coach Jim Schwartz coached Haynesworth when he was defensive coordinator at Tennessee. Yet another former Husker, Kyle Vanden Bosch, who was just signed by Detroit, played well next to Haynesworth with the Titans.
Of course, Vanden Bosch could excel with Suh next door at the three-technique spot. Who knows? The Lions' list of needs goes from here to Toledo. Maybe they go for offensive tackle Russell Okung. Maybe someone trades up to No. 1 or No. 2. Maybe Suh falls to Tampa Bay at No. 3 while the Lions take Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy.
Raiola is rooting for no upsets Thursday night. He wants a former Husker on board. And he sees a perfect fit. He sees Suh as a formidable addition to a Lions' franchise that Raiola thinks — hopes — is finally going places. And building with defense; Schwartz is a longtime defensive coach in the NFL. Suh's defensive coordinator would be longtime NFL guru Gunther Cunningham.
“It would be a great fit,'' Raiola said. “He'll love it here. Things are changing fast. They've cleaned out half the roster. These guys (General Manager Martin Mayhew and Schwartz) are different. We're closer than people think.
“This is a great football town. The fans want it so bad. They've been waiting forever. I've had a great career here. My family enjoys living here. I've been lucky. I've gotten to do a lot of things.''
At the very least, Suh should hang with Raiola and Stafford. Talk about the life. In the past 10 years, Raiola has become close friends with Red Wings Chris Osgood and Chris Chelios. Raiola has celebrated with the Stanley Cup. The actual cup. Last spring, he flew on a private jet to Pittsburgh for game six of the Stanley Cup finals with Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo.
Raiola sat in the first row when the Pistons won it all. He saw Kenny Rogers beat St. Louis in the World Series. Followed Padraig Harrington at the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills. Two weeks ago, he and Stafford attended the Masters in Augusta, Ga.
Raiola also has become buddies with Kid Rock. A few years ago, Raiola attended a music festival with the rocker and ended up hanging with him while he wrote a song with Willie Nelson.
It would really be a great gig if he could win a football game once in a while.
“When I was at the celebrations for the Pistons and Red Wings, people would say, ‘This is nothing compared to what would happen if you guys ever won,''' Raiola said.
But they haven't. Raiola has been through nine straight losing seasons. Detroit's record during his time with the Lions is 33-111. The Huskers were 31-7 in his three years (1998 through 2000). Raiola won't lie to Suh: It's a culture change.
“I've been through a lot — going 0-16 will test you,'' Raiola said. “It's not hard to go to work every day.
“I love what I do. I know I'm lucky to do what I do, and I know your career is never guaranteed, that it could all go away tomorrow. The drive to work is better than the drive home sometimes. But 10 years of losing is better than winning a Grey Cup (Canadian Football League).''
Through it all, Raiola hasn't lost his fire or passion. The fans love him for that. Sometimes. Last fall, Raiola barked back at some fans who were getting on Stafford. It was big news. The fans turned on Raiola.
“I know the fans are frustrated, but that was sort of the last straw,'' Raiola said. “I saw what they did to Joey (Harrington), and I don't want them doing it to Matt. This guy's special. The people have been calling for my head. That's OK.
“I know we're going to turn it around while I'm here and that Heiney Light is going to taste great once we make the playoffs.''
If his mock draft goes according to plan, Raiola thinks the Lions will take a giant step Thursday night.
Contact the writer:
444-1025, tom.shatel@owh.com
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